Catalytic Conversion of Alcohols to Carboxylic Acid Salts and Hydrogen with Alkaline Water

A [RuH­(CO)­(py-NP)­(PPh3)2]Cl (1) catalyst is found to be effective for catalytic transformation of primary alcohols, including amino alcohols, to the corresponding carboxylic acid salts and two molecules of hydrogen with alkaline water. The reaction proceeds via acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohol, followed by a fast hydroxide/water attack to the metal-bound aldehyde. A pyridyl-type nitrogen in the ligand architecture seems to accelerate the reaction.本研究发现，[RuH(CO)(py-NP)(三苯基膦(PPh₃))₂]Cl（编号1催化剂）可有效催化伯醇（包括氨基醇）在碱性水环境中转化为对应的羧酸盐与两分子氢气。该反应的反应路径为：先发生醇的无受体脱氢（acceptorless dehydrogenation）反应，随后氢氧根与水分子快速进攻与金属配位的醛中间体。配体结构中的吡啶型氮原子似乎可加速该反应进程。